The American University of Kuwait (AUK) took first-place in the REUSE Recycled Art Competition, an initiative launched by en.v, an organization dedicated to promoting social responsibility and environmental sustainability in the Arab world, in partnership with Zain Telecommunications, to promote environmental sustainability and community participation in Kuwait.

AUK submitted eleven pieces created by students as entries for the competition that promotes environmental conservation. The artworks were created from reused or repurposed materials, and were nominated to participate in REUSE based on a competition held at AUK in December.

286 entries were made for the REUSE competition by students from eight local schools and universities, but only the top 50 entries were invited to participate in the final stage of the competition, which was held at the Avenues Mall.

The AUK delegation, led by Professor William Andersen of the Art and Graphic Design Department, submitted eleven entries created by the following 12 students:

Jumana Al-Refei - Old is Gold

Mohammed Al Hamad - Caffeinated Light

Ahmed A Mohammed - Robot Attack Elite Force

Maitha Al Jassmi - Thinking Silver

Manal Adra - Pixelated Starry Night

Tamara Hamzah - Wire Tree

Dalal Ali - Party Light

Afnan Al Sendi - Clip it On

Moustafa Al Khashab - Metallic Stallion

Fanar Al-Obaid - Carambar-ized Fortune Teller

Farah Madi & Ahmad Hamzah - Cobra

Visitors to the exhibition were invited to participate by casting their votes for their favorite pieces. Almost 3000 of the visitors voted to determine the winner of the $1,000 USD cash prize. Moustafa El Khashab's entry, Metallic Stallion, was voted this year's winner.
"This is the third year that AUK participates in our REUSE competition, and we have come to count on them as partners in our mission to promote environmental awareness and education in Kuwait," said Elisa Franceschinis, programs director at en.v. "We are always impressed by the creativity of AUK students as well as by the commitment of their professors. We are delighted that they won this year's REUSE Recycled Art Competition, as it seems a fitting way to celebrate this great university's 10th Anniversary, and we hope to continue our collaboration in the years to come," she added.

REUSE was established by en.v in 2007 as a yearly exposition. Last year, it was repositioned from an annual event to an ongoing social development program which includes activities such as art competitions and educational roadshows, workshops, online environmental campaigns and community events.

To celebrate AUK's victory, the Art and Graphic Design Department held a ceremony in the AUK Library, where they invited the sponsors and the participating students to meet with President Nizar Hamzeh and receive certificates for their participation.